Knicks vs Nets Picks and Predictions: Grimes Quiet in Big Apple Brawl

The New York Knicks are feeling good. They have successfully won back-to-back games against Eastern Conference elite in the Cavaliers and Celtics. Tonight, they'll get the Brooklyn Nets, who will still be without their star Kevin Durant, in what should be a highly competitive matchup.

For the Nets, without Durant, it's about staying afloat and leaning on the talented Kyrie Irving. How he fares against Jalen Brunson tonight might tip the scales one way or another.

Find out your best options with our free NBA betting picks and predictions for the Knicks vs. Nets tonight.

Knicks vs Nets best odds

Knicks vs Nets picks and predictions

To say the Knicks don't value Quentin Grimes would be crazy. He's been one of coach Tom Thibodeau's most trusted players on the defensive side of the ball. But there's a thin line between valuing a player and holding him back.

The Knicks have been holding Grimes back all season as they've continued to elevate Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson as the stars of the team. While Randle and Brunson have continued to dominate the ball, players such as Grimes are relegated to catch-and-shoot options on offense and have little freedom to showcase much of anything else. This stagnancy has stunted Obi Toppin, Cam Reddish, and Grimes, who appears to be next in line.

Tonight, his Over/Under for points, rebounds, and assists is at a pedestrian 15.5. I like the Under a lot, because Grimes has a limited ceiling at the moment. For one, his passing isn't an asset to his game. In his last 10 games, Grimes has only managed a high of four assists and has only managed to dish out one assist in three of those games.

The rebounding hasn't been that much more impressive for Grimes, either. It's not easy competing for rebounds on a team with Randle and Mitchell Robinson (when healthy). The Knicks are an impressive team on the boards, ranking ninth overall in rebound rate, largely due to the other starters in the lineup not named Grimes.

Grimes has only faced the Nets three times in his career, with only one of those games equating to more than five minutes for the second-year shooting guard. In 33 minutes last February, Grimes posted an 8-point, 2-rebound, and 2-assist performance. Grimes only shot the ball five times in that matchup, which is three attempts short of his average this season.

The Nets’ defense has declined a bit since Kevin Durant has been sidelined, but Grimes will not get the necessary touches on offense to make a mark on this matchup.

My best bet: Quentin Grimes Under 15.5 points + rebounds + assists (-119)

Knicks vs Nets spread analysis

The Knicks have been on a seesaw this entire season but after a four-game skid, they've won two in a row and are in a good position to defeat the Nets tonight. The Nets aren't the same team without Durant and the Knicks can capitalize on this by riding the rejuvenated Julius Randle.

Randle has been one of the most fascinating case studies in the NBA. The 28-year-old power forward has been an absolute force this season, scoring from all areas of the court. I suspect Ben Simmons will get a ton of time on Randle tonight, which will be a tough cover for the Nets guard/forward. In his one game against the Nets this season, Randle impressed with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Randle has been surging, averaging 26.7 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists over his last 10 games, and now he gets the Nets, whose defense went from giving up 109.8 points per game to 116 since Durant left the lineup. 

The spread is currently -2 in favor of Brooklyn, but I like the Knicks a lot tonight.

Knicks vs Nets Over/Under analysis

We should be in for a high-scoring affair as Brooklyn enters tonight surrendering some serious points to recent opponents. The most worrisome is that the Pistons scored 130 points on Brooklyn and the night before, Philadelphia scored 137. The Nets haven't been getting it done on the defensive side of the ball of late, and the Knicks will likely ride Randle and Brunson in this one to create tons of pressure on Brooklyn's suspect defense.

Keep an eye out for Kyrie Irving tonight. That should go without saying, but the electric scoring guard can take over a game with his ability to shoot the ball and finish around the basket. 

We are headed for the Over tonight if he can duplicate his 40-point performance in Detroit.

Knicks vs Nets betting trend to know

The Over is 5-0-1 in the Knicks’ last six road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Nets.

Knicks vs Nets game info

Knicks vs Nets key injuries

Pages related to this topic